Five years ago today, got the call

My first MRI guided fusion biopsy was late June 2016 and with July 4th being a holiday, I got the call on the fifth of July, "you have cancer". It was not the blow that many often report. In fact it was a relief to finally have a diagnosis after four years of my previous urologist giving me nothing but evasive answers... "Your PSA is nothing to be concerned about", "your biopsy was negative", and "your prostate is normal". I had trusted him. After all, he had been my urologist for over a decade.

But when my GP told me that my PSA was 25 I started asking questions, like what about an MRI? He basically stormed out of the room and when he returned said another urologist would be taking over my case. Then things finally started happening... this right in the middle of us moving from our home of 33 years to a retirement condo a thousand miles away. Informing my family. Spoke with radiologists and scheduled the surgery. I drove a uHaul truck to Florida and flew back to Ohio four days before the RP. During recovery our realtor was showing the house while I coordinated renovation of our new Florida home over the phone.

I didn't learn about the extracapsular extension and SVI until after the RP, which was Labor Day. First order of business after driving back to Florida (in diapers) was finding a radiation oncologist. But before treatment could begin, my wife was diagnosed with NHL which required driving her to day-long infusions. And going thru PT with a Kegel nurse. Scheduling the AUS implant and then having it replaced within weeks. Fun times.

While I recognize how fortunate I am for "negative margins and negative nodes", plus the fact that ADT plus adjuvant EBRT seems to have done the trick, it has come at a cost. My final Lupron injection was over three years ago, and my T is still at castrate level. So it's safe to assume that it will likely never recover, and from here on out the hot flashes and manscaping are free. There have been other medical problems with which I've had to play whack a mole, then my two sons both being diagnosed with cancer last year.

I don't come into this forum much anymore... Not even the other forum that I sort of ended up running. And I avoid prostate groups on FB, except the veterans' group.... I keep running across posts in which guys talk about how much they walk and how much they exercise. I lost use of my left leg sixteen years ago. I had just got back on my feet when I injured my right arm (the arm that holds the cane). I reached the point where I could walk into Walmart unaided just when the cancer hit. Then had surgery on my right arm a month ago, will be in PT all summer, but it still isn't right. And so I once again find myself in the situation of fighting with doctors and therapists. I've mastered lifting a fork, but still working on holding a coffee mug.

So it seems that at this point, PCa is not a major concern. I am fortunate that treatments so far have put me in the position of NED. I see another urologist at the end of this month. The agenda is replacing the AUS and what to do, if anything, about the testosterone. I've become accustomed to living as a eunuch. It really doesn't bother me. I never think about sex, though I still appreciate seeing the beauty of an attractive woman. Both of my sons are in remission and my wife's lymphoma recurrence so far is watch and wait. Things could be a lot worse.

Hey Roblee
We got hit about the same time with similar news in 2016.... I also haven't thought about sex since then... I appreciate beautiful women.. but when I think about sex I often urinate on myself. I'm not sure why... but it's something I just try and understand that it's the new norm.
Sorry to hear about all the issues... but I did want to hope on and say it was nice hearing from you. Stay strong brother

Zzarth

Rob, I’m so sorry for all you and your family have endured, and continue to deal with. At the same time, grateful that the beast seems to be defeated.
Your head seems to be good, keep that going it can only help.

Best wishes
Ken